Lembit Opik, the latest Liberal Democrat MP to dominate the gossip columns, yesterday admitted to another Cheeky move: speaking to the immigration minister on behalf of his pop star girlfriend.

The MP for Montgomeryshire, who has split with his weather forecaster fiancee Sian Lloyd, spoke to Liam Byrne to help save his new partner, Gabriela Irimia, from deportation. The 24-year-old Romanian singer and her twin, Monica - collectively known as the Cheeky Girls - is understood to have been denied further leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office.

A Liberal Democrat spokesman confirmed that Mr Opik had passed on details about the twins' status to their local MP, Michael Foster, and briefly discussed the case with Mr Byrne after passing him in the House of Commons. He added: "He sought guidance about what to do. Liam Byrne said the appropriate thing to do was refer it to the constituency MP. There was absolutely no lobbying or campaigning."

But one Tory MP suggested the case was potentially a breach of the parliamentary code of conduct, because his act could have "provided benefit" to a friend.

Ms Irimia may be able to remain in the country because Romania will join the EU on January 1. A Home Office spokeswoman said it did not comment on individual cases, adding: "We are continuing to return Bulgarian and Romanian nationals, assessing each case on an individual case-by-case basis."